101 Level 1 Principles of building construction, information and communication

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City & Guilds Construction
PowerPointpresentation
Presentation 5: Communication
Unit 101: Principles of building construction,
information and communication

Aim
Introduce learners to communication.
Objectives
• List at least three methods of communication.
• State at least one advantage of each method of communication.
• State at least one disadvantage of each method of communication.
• Use at least one method of communication.

What is communication?
Communication is simply a way or means of passing information from
one person to another via a variety of methods and ways.

Why is communication important?
Communication is very important in all areas of life and we often do it
without even thinking about it.
You will need to communicate well when you are at work, no matter
what job you do.
If we don’t communicate well, how will other people know what we want
or need, and how will we know what other people want?

Group task
Using mind maps, list at least three (try to get as many as you can)
ways in which you communicate. Think about communicating with:
• your family
• friends
• people abroad
• college
• tutors
• people you may have never met.

Group task continued
Now that you have listed the ways in which you communicate, try to
think of the ways in which these methods can be used on site.
All those varieties of communication come under four main headings.
Discuss with the person next to you what these four headings might be.

Categories of communication
• Verbal
• Written/signs
• Electronic
• Human signs/signals

Verbal
Verbal communication is the most common method used to
communicate on site.
Verbal communication is not only face to face, it can be over the phone
or through a radio or walkie-talkie. Although it is the most common form
of communication there are both advantages and disadvantages.

Written/signs
Even though verbal is the most common form of communication written
may be the most vital and important. Written communication takes
many forms, eg:
• letters
• faxes
• written messages
• notes
• memos
• emails
• instruction leaflets
• drawings, plans and schedules.

Electronic
As technology moves on so does electronic communication.
Electronic communication can be in many forms, eg email, fax, text
messages and websites.
Advances in electronic communications means communication on site
is advancing. It is now possible to send and receive emails, texts and
website messages via mobile phones which allows information to be
sent or received almost anywhere in the world.

Signals
Signals are widely used on building sites mainly directing traffic or
manoeuvring and directing cranes. Signalling is a complex and very
important method of communication.
Can you imagine what would
happen if you were directing a
crane and its load and you do not
give the crane driver the correct
signals?
The next few slides will
demonstrate a few signalling
manoeuvres.
Image courtesy of www.shutterstock.com. Reproduced with permission.

Signals continued
Start Emergency stopStop

Signals continued
Extend jib Raise loadLower slowly

Signals continued
Remember the directions you are giving have to be interpreted by
someone facing you. So when you are giving directions you are to
operate directions as the driver will receive them.
Direction right Direction left

Task
Now that we have the four categories of communication, can you list at
least one advantage and one disadvantage for each category?

Verbal communication
Advantages Disadvantages
Instant Can be easily forgotten
Easy No physical evidence of the message
Can be repeated or rephrased until the
message is understood
Might be changed unintentionally
More than one language may be
spoken on site
Different accents or slang may not be
understood by everyone

Written communication
Physical evidence Takes longer to arrive, read and
understand than some other methods
of communication
Can be passed to others without being
changed
Can be misunderstood
Can be copied Can be lost
Can be ready again if not understood If poorly written, the reader may not be
able to understand it

Electronic communication
Instant and easy. Phone and video
calls (phone calls don’t require
internet)
Low or loss of signals and flat
batteries can prevent information
being sent
With emails and faxes there is a
written record
Not everyone is familiar or comfortable
using electronic communication
Can record receipt of communication
(eg emails)
The receiver may not be able to
access the information
Emails can be sent with a vast amount
of information
Viruses and hackers can causes
problems and read private information
Emails can also have attachments, eg
drawings, plans, invoices, etc

Signal communication
Internationally standardised, so same
signals used around the world
Can be misinterpreted
Can be carried out at a safe distance People may display the wrong signal
or forget signals when in operation
By manoeuvring the load via signals, it
reduces the risk of accidents
especially when the driver cannot see
the load’s destination
If signalling from a distance, the driver
may not be able to understand
No verbal communication
The banksman may get tired or
distracted and display signals
unknowingly

Communication stations
We are about to set up some communication stations. You are to work
in pairs/groups and communicate with your partner a variety of
information. Each station has a different method of communication.
You have to relay the information to your partner as clearly as you can.
You have also got to take messages and record as much of the
information as possible. Remember, your recordings do not have to be
word for word, but the important information must be recorded.
You have approximately five minutes at each station.

Any questions?

101 Level 1 Principles of building construction, information and communication

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